Psidium plant named ‘SERRATO 29’

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct  Psidium  tree named ‘SERRATO 29’ which is characterized by the combination of a broad-globular growth habit of the canopy, late-season fruiting, very high fruit yield, globose to ovoid fruit with fewer seeds and dense, firm flesh with a very sweet flavor, and the stability of these characteristics from generation to generation.

Latin name of the genus and species: The Latin name of the genus andspecies of the novel variety disclosed herein is Psidium guajava.

Variety denomination: The inventive cultivar of Psidium disclosed hereinhas been given the variety denomination ‘SERRATO 29’.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Parentage: ‘SERRATO 29’ originated as a seedling selection from the openpollination of a plurality of Psidium guajava ‘SERRATO 3’ (unpatented)trees, a variety developed and owned by the inventor, at his exoticfruit farm in Valley Center, Calif. The pollen parent is presumed toalso be ‘SERRATO 3’, given the fact that there were no other cultivarsin close proximity to the seed parent.

In the course of normal operations, the inventor will initiatecultivation of a new Psidium guajava orchard by first grafting scions ofthe variety to be produced in the new orchard onto vigorous rootstock.To produce said scions, seeds are harvested from the variety to beproduced in the new orchard, germinated in propagation trays, andsubsequently grown in nursery containers. Scions are then harvested fromthese juvenile trees and grafted to the desired rootstock. The newlygrafted trees are then grown in 5-gallon nursery containers before beingtransplanted to the field for commercial fruit production.

The claimed plant originated from this same process. Seeds wereharvested from a plurality of ‘SERRATO 3’ trees and the resultingseedlings were later used to establish a new orchard. In 2014, over thecourse of the fruiting period, the inventor observed 29 trees which werephenotypically different from the parent. These 29 trees exhibitedvariations in growth habit and fruiting. The claimed tree was observedto fruit earlier and yield more fruit than the parent plants. Afterfurther evaluation to confirm the uniqueness and stability of thecharacteristics first observed, the claimed plant was selected forcommercial production and was given the name ‘SERRATO 29’.

Asexual Reproduction: Asexual reproduction of ‘SERRATO 29’, by way ofgrafting, was first performed in 2014 in Valley Center, Calif. Throughone subsequent generation, the unique features of this cultivar haveproven to be stable and true to type.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The cultivar ‘SERRATO 29’ has not been observed under all possibleenvironmental conditions. The phenotype may vary somewhat withvariations in environment such as temperature, day length, and lightintensity, without, however, any variance in genotype. The followingtraits have been repeatedly observed and are determined to be the uniquecharacteristics of ‘SERRATO 29’. These characteristics in combinationdistinguish ‘SERRATO 29’ as a new and distinct Psidium guajava cultivar:

-   -   1. ‘SERRATO 29’ exhibits a freely-branching and densely-foliaged        growth habit with a broad globular tree crown; and    -   2. Psidium ‘SERRATO 29’ exhibits late-season fruiting with a        fruiting period of approximately three to four months; and    -   3. Psidium ‘SERRATO 29’ exhibits relatively small, globose to        ovoid fruit with a relatively low quantity of seeds; and    -   4. Psidium ‘SERRATO 29’ exhibits aromatic fruit with dense, firm        flesh and a very sweet flavor; and    -   5. Psidium ‘SERRATO 29’ exhibits a very high fruit yield, with        each tree producing approximately 150 kilograms of fruit per        harvest season.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

FIG. 1 illustrates, as nearly true as it is reasonably possible to makethe same in color photographs of this type, exemplary 4-year-oldfield-grown ‘SERRATO 29’ trees in Valley Center, Calif.

FIG. 2 illustrates, as nearly true as it is reasonably possible to makethe same in color photographs of this type, the fruit of ‘SERRATO 29’.

FIG. 3 illustrates, as nearly true as it is reasonably possible to makethe same in color photographs of this type, a cross section of themature fruit of ‘SERRATO 29’.

BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION OF THE PLANT

The following observations and measurements were made in December of2021 and describe a 4 year old grafted, field-grown ‘SERRATO 29’ tree onPsidium guajava ‘300’ rootstock (unpatented), grown plant in ValleyCenter, Calif. The tree was grown in full sun, regularly irrigated withlow-volume overhead irrigation, and fertigated with a high Potassium andCalcium fertilizer approximately 3 to 4 times a year beginning whenfruiting is initiated. Except for the application of a preventativebiological fungicide, no chemical treatments of any kind were utilized.Trees are pruned once a year, after harvesting has concluded.

Those skilled in the art will appreciate that certain characteristicswill vary with older or, conversely, with younger plants. ‘SERRATO 29’has not been observed under all possible environmental conditions. Wheredimensions, sizes, colors and other characteristics are given, it is tobe understood that such characteristics are approximations or averagesset forth as accurately as practicable. The phenotype of the variety maydiffer from the descriptions set forth herein with variations inenvironmental, climatic and cultural conditions. Color notations arebased on The Royal Horticultural Society Colour Chart, The RoyalHorticultural Society, London, 1986 edition.

A botanical description of ‘SERRATO 29’ and comparisons with the parentplant and most similar commercial Psidium cultivar known to the inventorare provided below.

-   Plant description:    -   -   Growth habit.—Small, tropical evergreen, fruit-bearing tree.        -   Crown profile.—Broad globular.        -   Average height from base to top of foliage.—Approximately            5.0 to 5.5 m.        -   Average width.—Approximately 4.25 m to 5.0 m.        -   Plant vigor.—Moderately vigorous.        -   Propagation details.—Asexual propagation is accomplished by            grafting a scion onto rootstock. The most commonly used            rootstock is ‘300’, a variety developed and owned by the            inventor. Scions form a union with the rootstock in            approximately 3 to 4 weeks.        -   Time to produce a fruit-bearing tree.—Approximately 1 to 2            years from planting of a grafted tree into the orchard.        -   Disease and pest resistance or susceptibility.—Neither            tolerance nor resistance to normal diseases and pests of            Psidium guajava have been observed.        -   Environmental tolerances.—Hardy to USDA Zone 9; heat and            drought tolerant once established.-   Root system:    -   -   General.—Extensive, freely-branching, shallow, and generally            extending beyond the tree canopy; some deeper roots but no            taproot.-   Stems:    -   -   Branching habit.—Single rootstock leader gives rise to an            abundance of lateral branches above the graft union.        -   Attitude.—Upward and outward to pendulous, as branches age.        -   Aspect.—Quadrangular.        -   Length of lateral branches.—127 cm.        -   Diameter of fruiting branches.—Averaging 1.4 cm at the base.        -   Internode length on lateral branches.—6.5 cm on average.        -   Texture.—Juvenile branches are smooth and moderately            tomentose and become progressively fibrous and fissured as            they age; branches will exfoliate as wood matures, revealing            a smooth texture beneath.        -   Strength.—Moderately strong and pliable.        -   Color, juvenile.—Youngest wood is yellow-green, RHS 144C and            suffused with RHS 153D; as wood matures it becomes colored            with a mixture of greyed-orange and grey-brown, RHS 177B,            177C, and 199A, and is heavily suffused with greyed-orange,            nearest to in between RHS 166A and 175B.        -   Color, mature.—Greyed-orange, nearest to a combination of            RHS 165A, 166C, and 174A; exfoliated fibers are grey-brown,            nearest to a combination of RHS 199A, 199B, and 200C but            predominantly 199B and 200C.        -   Pubescence.—Juvenile branches are moderately tomentose;            mature branches are glabrous.-   Foliage:    -   -   Arrangement.—Opposite; decussate.        -   Attachment.—Petiolate.        -   Division.—Simple.        -   Lamina.—Dimensions — 15.2 cm long and 7.0 cm wide. Shape —            Elliptic to obtuse or oblong. Aspect — Carinate and somewhat            reflexed. Apex — Acute. Base — Obtuse. Margin — Entire with            light, coarse undulation. Pubescence, adaxial surface —            Glabrous. Texture and luster of adaxial surface — Somewhat            bullate and semi-glossy. Pubescence, abaxial surface —            Glabrous. Texture and luster of abaxial surface — Somewhat            bullate and matte. Color — Juvenile foliage, adaxial surface            — Nearest to in between green and yellow-green, RHS 137D and            144A; suffused with greyed-orange, nearest to a combination            of RHS 164A and 175C. Juvenile foliage, abaxial surface —            Yellow-green, RHS 145A. Mature foliage, adaxial surface —            Nearest to in between green and yellow-green, RHS 137C and            147A. Mature foliage, abaxial surface — Yellow-green,            nearest to in between RHS 146B and 147C. Venation — Pattern            — Reticulate; prominently-veined. Color, adaxial surface —            Yellow-green, nearest to in between RHS 148B and 146B.            Color, abaxial surface — Yellow-green, nearest to in between            RHS 151A and 152D.        -   Petiole.—Length —10.0 mm. Width — 4.0 mm. Texture — Smooth            and moderately tomentose. Strength — Strong. Color —            Yellow-green, nearest to in between RHS 148B and 146B.-   Inflorescence:    -   -   Type.—No inflorescence; flowers are solitary, occurring            individually or in small clusters in leaf axils.-   Flower buds:    -   -   Bud shape.—Ovoid.        -   Bud dimensions.—Approximately 15 to 17 mm long and 10 to 11            mm in diameter.        -   Bud color.—Nearest to in between green and yellow-green, RHS            143C and 144A.-   Flower:    -   -   Bloom period.—May through June.        -   Flower type.—Perfect; simple.        -   Flower shape.—Rotate.        -   Persistence.—Not persistent.        -   Flower aspect.—Upward and outward.        -   Fragrance.—Light fragrance.        -   Dimensions.—Approximately 2.4 cm in diameter and 2.0 cm            deep.        -   Pedicels.—Dimensions — 10 to 20 mm long and 2.0 mm in            diameter. Color — Nearest to in between green and            yellow-green, RHS 143C and 144A. Texture and luster —            Smooth, lightly tomentose, and matte. Strength — Low.        -   Calyx.—Arrangement — Irregularly rotate with sepals fused at            the base, forming a short calyx tube. Dimensions —            Approximately 14 to 15 mm long, including the calyx tube,            and 8 to 11 mm wide at the widest point between outstretched            lobes. Sepals — Quantity — Varying from 2 to 5 lobes. Fused            or free — Fused. Sepal lobe dimensions — Approximately 8 to            10 mm long and varying from 6 to 8 mm wide. Sepal lobe shape            — Broad elliptic. Sepal lobe apex — Broadly acute to            near-obtuse. Aspect — Concave and becoming reflexed at            anthesis. Margin — Entire; no undulation. Texture — Smooth            and glabrous. Color — Nearest to in between green and            yellow-green, RHS 143C and 144A.        -   Petals.—Arrangement — Rotate; petals arranged in a single            whorl. Quantity — Typically 4 or 5. Fused or free — Free.            Dimensions — Approximately 10 to 15 mm long and 10 to 11 mm            wide. Shape — Broad elliptic. Apex — Broadly acute to            near-obtuse. Base — Broadly cuneate. Aspect — Concave and            becoming reflexed at anthesis. Margin — Entire; light,            coarse undulation. Texture — Glabrous. Color — When opening,            inner surface — White, RHS 155A. When opening, outer surface            — White, RHS 155A. Inner surface, at anthesis — White, RHS            155A. Outer surface, at anthesis — White, RHS 155A. Color            fading to — Not fading.-   Reproductive organs:    -   -   Androecium.—Stamen quantity — Very abundant; more than 200.            Filament — Dimensions — Approximately 10 to 12 mm long and            approximately 0.75 mm in diameter. Color — White, RHS 155A;            suffused with green-yellow towards the base, nearest to RHS            1D. Anther — Anther attachment — Dorsifixed. Anther shape —            Oblong; dehiscing longitudinally. Anther size — 3.0 mm long            and 1.5 mm in diameter. Anther color — White, RHS 155D, and            lightly suffused with yellow- white at anthesis, nearest to            RHS 158B. Pollen — Amount of pollen — Abundant. Pollen color            — Yellow, RHS 10D.        -   Gynoecium.—Pistil quantity — One. Stigma — Shape — Round.            Dimensions — Approximately 1.75 mm across and 2.0 mm tall.            Color — Yellow-green, RHS 145B. Style — Dimensions —            Approximately 10 to 12 mm long and 2.0 to 2.25 mm in            diameter at the base. Color — Green-white, RHS 157D, and            becoming suffused with yellow-green, RHS 145B towards the            stigma. Ovary — Position — Inferior. Shape — Globose.            Diameter — 10 to 12 mm.-   Seed and fruit:    -   -   Fruit.—Type — Multi-seeded berry. Shape — Typically globose            but occasionally varying from globose to ovoid to            sub-pyriform, with a small calyx cavity and floral remnants            present at the base. Dimensions — 6.7 cm in diameter and 7.3            cm long Weight — 177 grams, on average. Texture — Moderately            rough. Fragrance — Highly fragrant with the strong, sweet,            musky, tropical fruit scent. Color — Epicarp — Immature            fruit is yellow-green, nearest to a mixture of RHS 144A,            144B, 145A, 145B, and 145C; as fruit matures, it becomes            progressively suffused with a combination of yellow and            yellow-green (nearest to RHS 4B, 5C, and 151D) beginning            near the calyx cavity and spreading proximally; once ripe,            the entire epicarp is a combination of yellow and            yellow-green nearest to RHS 4B, 5C, 151D, and 154C. Mesocarp            — Yellow-green near the epicarp, a mixture of RHS 144C and            145A, and becoming progressively suffused with white towards            the endocarp, nearest to RHS 155A. Endocarp — White, nearest            to RHS 155A, and lightly suffused with red, nearest to RHS            36D. Harvest season — January through late March to April in            Valley Center, Calif. Productivity of the fruit — A mature            tree will produce approximately 150 kilograms of fruit per            harvest season. Storage characteristics — Fruit stored for            12 to 15 days at 10 to 12 degrees Celsius show no signs of            internal breakdown or ripening.        -   Seed.—Abundance — Seeds are embedded in the endocarp.            Relatively fewer seeds than the parent and other known            varieties approximately 125 to 150 seeds as observed. Shape            — Irregularly globular. Size — 3.75 mm long and 3.75 mm in            diameter. Color — Greyed-orange, nearest to RHS 163D.            Texture and luster — Smooth and matte.

COMPARISON WITH THE PARENT PLANTS

Plants of the new cultivar ‘SERRATO 29’ may be distinguished from theparent, Psidium ‘SERRATO 3’ (not patented), by the characteristicsdescribed in Table 1.

TABLE 1 Characteristic ‘SERRATO 29’ ‘SERRATO 3’ Time to fruit. Laterthan Earlier than ‘SERRATO 3’. ‘SERRATO 29’. Length of 3 to 4 months. 3months. harvest season. Fruit yield. 150 kilograms of 70 kilograms offruit per tree, per fruit per tree, per season. season. Fruit firmness.Firmer than Softer than ‘SERRATO 3’. ‘SERRATO 29’. Flavor of the Sweeterthan Less sweet, fruit. ‘SERRATO 3’. compared to ‘SERRATO 29’.

COMPARISON WITH THE CLOSEST KNOWN COMMERCIAL VARIETY

Plants of the new cultivar ‘SERRATO 29’ may be distinguished from thecommercial variety, Psidium ‘SERRATO 12’ (U.S. Plant patent applicationSer. No. 18/445,013), by the characteristics described in Table 2.

TABLE 2 Characteristic ‘SERRATO 29’ ‘SERRATO 12’ Growth habit; treeBroad globular. Upright to globular. crown profile. Time to fruit. Laterthan Earlier than ‘SERRATO 12’. ‘SERRATO 29’. Flavor of the fruit.Sweeter than Less sweet compared ‘SERRATO 12’. to ‘SERRATO 29’. Fruitsize. Smaller than Larger than ‘SERRATO 12’. ‘SERRATO 29’ Fruit yield.150 kilograms of 115 kilograms of fruit per tree, per fruit per tree,per season. season.

That which is claimed is:
 1. A new and distinct cultivar of Psidium treenamed ‘SERRATO 29’, substantially as described and illustrated herein.